22 Lessons I’ve Learned as a Young Entrepreneur

The Creativity & Heart Podcast – Episode 2

 When this episode first airs, I will have recently celebrated my 22nd birthday! In celebration of 22 years of life, and about 3 years of hustling as a business owner, I’m sharing 22 lessons I’ve learned as a young entrepreneur. I hope that you can relate to some of these lessons too, and maybe I’ll even give you a few new ideas to ponder. I’ll be using the pronoun “you” a lot in this episode, but know that I’m talking to myself here just as much as I am you!

Lessons on Mindset 

1 – When it comes to running a business, age is but a number. Whether you’re afraid that you’re too young or too old, give yourself permission to try.

2 – Growth isn’t always linear.

3 – Don’t take business failures personally.

4 – When you are able to disconnect results from your worth as a person, you can make better decisions for your business.

Lessons on Enjoying the Journey

5 – Choose progress over perfection.

6 – Don’t do anything halfway. Now this point might seem contradictory, after reading #5. But when I say “don’t do anything halfway,” I want you to know that things don’t have to be perfect to be quality. 

7 – Rome wasn’t built in a day.

8 – As you’re hustling to get to where you want to be, don’t forget to stop and enjoy where you are right now.

9 – Comparison is draining. Your story isn’t theirs, and it doesn’t have to be.

10 – Connecting with other small business owners who understand what owning a business is like isn’t always easy, (especially if you’re an introvert like me) but it’s important. 

Lessons on Rest + Realistic Expectations

11 – You don’t have to do all the things to be successful. 

12 – You’re not superwoman (and that’s okay!)

13 – Know when it’s time for a break.

Lessons on Growing a Business

14 – SEO matters in online business. Okay, so I know that the trailer for this podcast says that it’s not about strategy. And for the most part it’s not. But as a web designer, I have to mention that one lesson I’ve learned is that SEO is important.

15 – Invest in yourself + your business.

16 – Never stop learning.

17 – Even if you think you’re inexperienced, you have knowledge to share, too.

18 – It’s good to stay informed about trends, but don’t forget to be you. 

Lessons on Serving Others

19 – Serving others well makes an impact.

20 – People’s actions have a lot more to do with what they’re going through than with you. And when you know that, there’s an opportunity for grace.

Lessons on Faith

21 – God is able to do more than we could ever ask for or imagine. (see Ephesians 3:20)

22 – Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith.

I Want to Hear From You!

So, there you have it – 22 lessons I’ve learned as a young entrepreneur.

Which of the lessons I shared was your favorite and how will you implement it in your business? You can find me on Instagram @mayapalmerdesigns. I will be making a post about this episode. You can leave your comment on the post, or feel free to DM me!